The Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) has taken action against an overseas gaming company in Curaçao that is allegedly operating illegal online gaming sites, Bovada.com and Bovada.lv (Bovada), accessible to Arizona residents. Following an investigation into the matter, the ADG sent a cease-and-desist letter to Harp Media B.V., which operates Bovada, on November 8, 2024.

The operation of Bovada in Arizona is alleged to be a felony criminal enterprise and Bovada has been directed to desist from any future illegal gambling operations or activities of any type in Arizona. Due to the unregulated and illegal online gaming offerings on Bovada, Harp Media B.V. is claimed to be in violation of Arizona gaming laws, including:

1. Promotion of Gambling (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3303.
2. Illegal Control of an Enterprise (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2312.
3. Money Laundering (Felony) — Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-2317.

Harp Media B.V. has been directed to immediately cease all online (or other) gambling operations and activities in Arizona, and take the necessary steps to immediately prevent and exclude Arizona residents from gambling on their websites.

“We are actively monitoring the evolving landscape of online gaming and taking proactive steps like this helps us protect Arizona’s communities and economy from illegal activities,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “Our enforcement team is committed to preventing unauthorized operations from establishing a foothold here. Arizona will not be a safe haven for unlicensed or unlawful gaming, nor will we allow unlawful entities to compromise the integrity of gaming within our state.”

In light of these developments, the Arizona Department of Gaming urges residents to exercise caution with online gaming activities. Only legal, regulated operations provide important consumer protections not found in the illegal market, helping ensure a safer experience for participants. Certain online event wagering is legal in Arizona. A list of all licensed and regulated event wagering operators legally taking bets in Arizona can be found on the Department’s website at gaming.az.gov.

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Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $732 million on sports in September of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 20% increase when compared to September of 2023.

The state collected approximately $3.96 million in privilege fees in the month. You can view the full September report on the ADG website: LINK.

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) announced that it has allocated an event wagering operator license to Plannatech as the designee for the San Carlos Apache Tribal Gaming Enterprise, as well as allocated an event wagering operator license to Sporttrade as the designee for the Quechan Indian Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, pursuant to A.R.S. § 5-1304 and A.A.C. R19-4-105 and 106.

On June 7, 2024, ADG announced that it would begin accepting applications for available event wagering licenses, which included no less than one event wagering license reserved for Arizona Tribes and no less than one event wagering license reserved for Arizona Sports Franchises, as defined in A.R.S. § 5-1301(7).

The application window for event wagering licenses opened on July 8, 2024, and closed on July 19, 2024. Applicants were required to submit their completed applications within this timeframe in order to have been considered for an event wagering license.